• The Board approved a one-time, one percent pay adjustment for all employees. COVID-19 has impacted the district's ability to hire and retain new school system staff members. As part of an effort to retain teachers and staff, a one-time, one-percent retention pay adjustment was recommended for all employees. The school system recognizes the benefits to the students and school communities as a result of reducing staff turnover. As such, the district uses a multi-faceted approach in its effort to retain staff, including analytics, to improve school culture and competitive salaries and pay adjustments. The approximated cost of the pay adjustments is $1,400,000.00 to be paid for with FY 2022 ESSER II funds.

Approved by 5-0 vote on December 14, 2021.

B. Requested Board Action Relative to Purchase of Maintenance Program for Financial
Software

• The Board approved the purchase of the maintenance program for NextGen financial software from Harris School Solutions of Niagara Falls, New York. NextGen, the financial software used by the school system, is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution that offers a fully integrated suite of fund-accounting and business management modules. The maintenance program includes technical support (both telephone and 24-7 e-Support) troubleshooting and resolution of issues that affect the software or its operations, a customer support program, training information, and all software releases, updates and enhancements. The program period covers the 2022 calendar year. The total cost is $42,415.14 to be paid for with FY 2022 General Funds.
  

Approved by 5-0 vote on December 14, 2021.

C. Requested Board Action Relative to Renewal of Contract for Erate Consultant

• The Board approved the annual renewal of a contract awarded to Manning Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a K-12 Consultants of Fort Meyers Beach, Florida for Erate consulting services for an additional contract period. Erate is the federal government program designed to fund affordable access to advanced telecommunications services in libraries and schools down to the classroom level. The focus of the program is on infrastructure and transport, not content or end-user equipment. As the Erate program has extensive (and ever changing) regulatory requirements, it was deemed necessary to enlist the services of a consultant to both ensure compliance and maximize funding. K-12 Consultants assist in the development and review of Erate solicitations, as well as assuring all submissions, products and services received are in compliance with Erate rules and regulations. They prepare and file all the required forms at every juncture of the multi-stage application, approval and funding process, maintain all required records, and prepare and submit the required yearly audit. They also actively and successfully work to increase both the funding requests, and the amount of Erate funds received. The effective date of the renewal will be December 19, 2021, with an expiration of December 18, 2022. The cost of these services is set at 10% of approved funding disbursed to the school system.

Approved by a 5-0 vote on December 14, 2021.

D. Requested Board Action Relative to Contract for Fleet Inspection Services

• The Board approved the renewal of a contract for fleet inspection services for the pupil transportation department with Morgan Fleet Services, Inc., of Monroe, Georgia. The one-year contract includes a turnkey solution for comprehensive bus inspection services that meet all state requirements and regulations. The services provide documented, third-party attestation to the safety of buses used to transport students. As an ancillary benefit, it allows school system fleet technicians to dedicate 100% of their time to the ongoing maintenance and repair of school buses. The effective date will be December 16, 2021 with an expiration date of December 15, 2022. The total estimated cost is $102,300.00 to be paid for with FY 2022 General Funds.

Approved by 3-2 vote with Mr. Anderson Bailey and Mr. Eddie Johnson dissenting on December 14, 2021.

E. Requested Board Action Relative to Resolution to Withdraw Capital Outlay Applications

• The Board approved a resolution to withdraw the State Capital Outlay Applications for Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021. Requirements related to the use of ESSER III funds do not allow funding for projects that are included in the school district's facility plan. The FY 2020 and FY 2021 applications for state capital outlay funds include HVAC projects. The applications were approved by the Newton County Board of Education and the State Board of Education. Both applications must be withdrawn to not be in conflict with ESSER III funding requirements.

Approved by 4-0 vote with Mr. Eddie Johnson abstaining on December 14, 2021.

F. Requested Board Action Relative to Surplus Property

• The Board approved certain items as surplus to be disposed of per Board Policy DO. The school system makes every effort to redistribute and reuse its equipment and property throughout the component's useful life, or as long as practical. Items are only designated as surplus when they are deemed no longer necessary for school purposes. They are then aggregated and disposed of utilizing one or more of the approved methodologies outlined in Board Policy DO. Care is taken to discard of items in as environmentally friendly manner as practical.

Approved by 5-0 vote on December 14, 2021.

G. Requested Board Action Relative to Superintendent's Recommendations in Executive
Session

• The Board approved recommendations presented by Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey in executive session.

Approved by 5-0 vote on December 14, 2021.